When it comes to addressing signs of facial aging, a facelift is the gold standard for surgical procedures. There are various surgical techniques used to achieve a more youthful facial contour. Two techniques that are often talked about are the SMAS facelift and the deep plane facelift. Read on to learn more about the differences between these techniques.

What is a SMAS Facelift?

To understand this facelift technique, we must first understand the SMAS. The superficial muscular aponeurotic system, also known as the SMAS, is a tissue layer located deep under the skin and subcutaneous fat. Its role is to connect the face and neck muscles to the skin, and it plays an essential role providing soft tissue structure.

During this procedure, the SMAS layer is lifted and re-anchored via sutures to tighten the skin. Excess skin and fat are also removed to achieve a younger appearance. However, a SMAS facelift is performed on a shallower layer of tissues than a deep plane facelift.

What is a Deep Plane Facelift?

A deep plane facelift is a more extensive procedure, resulting in more dramatic outcomes. During a deep plane facelift, the surgeon will enter into the deep plane to release the tissues under the SMAS to lift the face. This facelift technique is often considered the gold standard, as it is more extensive and, therefore, often produces more noticeable, longer-lasting results.

Patients can envision this metaphor to compare the SMAS and deep plane facelift techniques: We can compare the anatomical layers of the face to a bed. During an SMAS facelift, the top layer of bedding, or the SMAS, is lifted and pulled tighter. During a deep plane facelift, the top layer of the bedding is lifted, and the surgeon pulls the sheets underneath tighter as well.

Who is a Candidate for a SMAS or Deep Plane Facelift?

Healthy adults who do not smoke and who wish to address moderate to severe signs of aging in the lower two-thirds of their faces can often benefit from either of these facelift techniques. Ultimately, a consultation with one of our board-certified facial plastic surgeons is recommended to determine which facelift technique is best for you.

A facelift is often beneficial for individuals with more severe signs of facial aging who are seeking more dramatic, long-term results. A Denver facelift procedure, or rhytidectomy as it is medically called, treats the neck, cheek, jowl, lateral temporal, and/or eyebrow area.

Does Recovery Time Differ?

The downtime following either procedure will vary depending on the surgical technique used, but it is generally equivalent. Patients can expect to rest and recover for 1-2 weeks before resuming more strenuous activities. Mild to moderate bruising, swelling, and discomfort are to be expected with any facelift procedure. Swelling will reduce after the first week, and any discomfort can be controlled with pain medication.

Schedule a Consultation

There are specific facelift techniques available to our facial plastic surgeons, and each patient will be suited to a different type depending on the specific issues they wish to address. After a consultation, we will recommend the type of plastic surgery that will best meet your needs.

Please contact FacesFirst today to schedule a consultation with Christopher Cote, M.D., or Nicolette Picerno, M.D. We proudly serve Lone Tree, Denver, New Castle, and surrounding areas.